Systems and methods for logging data in harsh environments

Abstract

Systems and methods of the present invention allow to determine ambient gas temperature in harsh environments such as in a steam autoclave chamber during a sterilization process. In certain embodiments of the invention, temperature data is gathered using a sensor that is placed in an enclosed electronics-based temperature logging device. A capsule seals the temperature logging device except for a through hole that, during regular operation, allows gas to directly contact a surface of the temperature logging device in order to reduce a time lag between the data logging device and an ambient gas. As a result, the data logging device accurately can track temperature variations when placed, for example, inside a chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for measuring gas temperature, the system comprising:
 an electronic temperature data logger that comprises:
 an enclosure comprising a top cover and a bottom cover, at least one of the top and bottom cover comprising a surface that in regular operation is exposed to an ambient gas; and 
 a sensing element that generates temperature data from a measured gas temperature, the sensing element being located within the enclosure and being disposed on a circuit that comprises one or more processors; 
 
 a capsule that at least partially seals the enclosure and comprises at least one through hole that provides access to the surface; and 
 a system clock coupled to the one or more processors, the system clock generates clock signals to control a timing of the circuit. 
 
     
     
       2. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one through hole reduces a thermal lag between the measured gas temperature and an gas temperature. 
     
     
       3. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is removably attached to the capsule. 
     
     
       4. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the top cover or bottom cover is electrically connected to the circuit, the at least one of the top cover or bottom cover serving as an electrode. 
     
     
       5. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors comprise a power saving circuit comprising a sleep mode that is activated between two measurement cycles. 
     
     
       6. The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a communication circuit coupled to the one or more processors, the communication circuit being coupled to a wireless communication device that communicates the temperature data to a reader. 
     
     
       7. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensing element is a digital temperature sensor. 
     
     
       8. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the circuit is affixed to the enclosure via a thermal conductor. 
     
     
       9. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the least one of the top and bottom cover are formed of material having high thermal conductivity. 
     
     
       10. A method for measuring a gas temperature, the method comprising:
 placing an enclosure into a capsule, the enclosure comprising a sensing element disposed on an integrated circuit, the capsule at least partially seals the enclosure and comprises at least one through hole that provides access to a surface of the enclosure; 
 placing the capsule into a chamber; and 
 using the sensing element to gather temperature data within the chamber to determine a gas temperature, wherein the sensing element is coupled to a power saving circuit that activates a sleep cycle between two measurement cycles. 
 
     
     
       11. A method for measuring a gas temperature, the method comprising:
 placing an enclosure into a capsule, the enclosure comprising a sensing element disposed on an integrated circuit, the capsule at least partially seals the enclosure and comprises at least one through hole that provides access to a surface of the enclosure; 
 placing the capsule into a chamber; and 
 using the sensing element to gather temperature data within the chamber to determine a gas temperature, wherein the enclosure comprises a cover that is electrically connected to the integrated circuit and serves as an electrode. 
 
     
     
       12. A method for measuring a gas temperature, the method comprising:
 placing an enclosure into a capsule, the enclosure comprising a sensing element disposed on an integrated circuit, the capsule at least partially seals the enclosure and comprises at least one through hole that provides access to a surface of the enclosure; 
 placing the capsule into a chamber; and 
 using the sensing element to gather temperature data within the chamber to determine a gas temperature, wherein wherein the gas temperature is logged during a plurality of sterilization cycles. 
 
     
     
       13. An apparatus comprising:
 an enclosure comprising a top cover and a bottom cover, at least one of the top cover or bottom cover comprising a surface that, in regular operation, is exposed to a gas; and 
 a sensing element disposed on an integrated circuit, the sensing element being removably attached to the enclosure, wherein the circuit comprises memory to store temperature data. 
 
     
     
       14. An apparatus comprising:
 an enclosure comprising a top cover and a bottom cover, at least one of the top cover or bottom cover comprising a surface that, in regular operation, is exposed to a gas; and 
 a sensing element disposed on an integrated circuit, the sensing element being removably attached to the enclosure, wherein the enclosure is sealed to prevent ingress of air and moisture into the enclosure.